DFD Care And Support Services Ltd

Inspection report for supported accommodation provider – monitoring visit: DFD Care And Support Services Ltd 1 DFD Care And Support Services Ltd

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Registered provider: DFD Care and Support Services Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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provider

A private provider owns and operates this service. The service can accommodate up to two children living in solo accommodation and up to 58 children living in 21 shared premises that are not limited to looked after children and care leavers.

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provider

The service manager registered with Ofsted in February 2024.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted carried out a monitoring visit on 30 July 2024 after receiving information regarding the poor management of a serious allegation. This information also alerted Ofsted to the possibility that the provider was accommodating children outside of the scope of regulations. At that time, Ofsted issued a notice restricting accommodation and two compliance notices. The purpose of this visit was to review the restriction notice and to consider the progress made against the compliance notices.

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This monitoring visit

Procedures for admitting children have been reviewed and improved. These now include better systems for the management oversight of children’s placements. Although not tested in practice, these procedures provide a constructive tool for assessing the suitability of children living in supported accommodation. In addition, procedures for managing safeguarding concerns and allegations have been strengthened. As a result of these improvements, the compliance notices are met and Ofsted has lifted the notice restricting accommodation. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider – monitoring visit: DFD Care And Support Services Ltd 2 The registered service manager has taken sufficient action to address four of the six requirements raised at the last monitoring visit. However, children’s plans and risk assessments still lack sufficient detail to provide staff with the information and guidance that they need to support children effectively. Furthermore, staff do not

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This monitoring visit

consistently encourage children to reflect on incidents and help them to identify risks to their own safety and well-being.

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This monitoring visit

Some of the premises visited are not homely, welcoming or safe, and damage in some premises has not been repaired. Although the provider has recently commissioned a fire risk assessment, several recommendations from this are outstanding. While these do not place children at immediate risk of harm, they require action.

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This monitoring visit

The registered service manager has reduced the number of restrictors on windows and locks on external doors. This makes the premises more suitable for supported accommodation. Nevertheless, some practices, such as children needing to ask staff for kitchen knives and other items, are not in keeping with this type of service. Furthermore, children’s bathrooms and bedroom doors do not have locks on. This does not promote children’s dignity and privacy. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider – monitoring visit: DFD Care And Support Services Ltd 3

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, The Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023 and the ‘Guide to the Supported Accommodation Regulations, including Quality Standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The protection standard is that children are enabled to feel safe and that their needs are met.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of abuse, neglect, exploitation or any other harm, and act to reduce such risk;

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Requirement Due date

work collaboratively with children to help them understand how to keep safe, by offering guidance and support on how to minimise any potential risk of harm. (Regulation 5 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(f)(ii)(v)) 18 November 2024

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Requirement Due date

The accommodation standard is that children experience a comfortable and secure living environment.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the premises used as supported accommodation— 18 November 2024 Inspection report for supported accommodation provider – monitoring visit: DFD Care And Support Services Ltd 4 are adequately maintained so as to provide a welcoming and homely environment within both individual and shared living spaces;

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Requirement Due date

comply with all relevant statutory provisions dealing with health and safety or fire safety matters.

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Requirement Due date

ensure that each child is provided with a private bedroom—

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Requirement Due date

which is physically secure. (Regulation 6 (1) (2)(b)(viii)(d)(iv)(e)(x))

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Requirement Due date

The support standard is that children receive individual and tailored support that meets their needs.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

ensure that plans for support are based on initial referral information, are meaningful and are created in full consultation with the child, taking account of relevant plans for the child;

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Requirement Due date

keep the child’s support under review, taking into consideration the plans for support, and relevant plans, to ensure that the child’s needs continue to be met and that the child is kept safe. (Regulation 7 (1) (2)(b)(c)) 18 November 2024

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to follow up information received by Ofsted and/or to ensure that the supported accommodation provider was complying with regulation.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider – monitoring visit: DFD Care And Support Services Ltd 5

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered provider: DFD Care and Support Services Limited

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered provider address: Unit 9, St. Marks Business Centre, St. Lukes Road, Corby, Northamptonshire, NN18 8AN.

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered service manager: Eunice Nekete

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Inspectors

Debbie Holder, Social Care Inspector Alli Tandy, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for supported accommodation provider – monitoring visit: DFD Care And Support Services Ltd 6 to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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